Redskins Briefs: Call This Team New-look 'skins

Redskins' Briefs

If there's any doubt that the Washington Redskins have split with the past and are going in a new direction, consider the makeup of the team that assembled Thursday for the first day of training camp.

Gone are 26 players who saw action in 1993, representing a savings of $21.8 million. In their places are 16 veteran free agents and 18 rookies.

When the smoke clears in September and the final roster is announced, it's unlikely Washington will remain one of the older teams in the league. Thirty-eight of the 80 players in camp have played two seasons or less.

``It's so different this year,'' said veteran guard Mark Schlereth. ``A lot of guys from last year have already lost jobs, and there are so many new faces. I still don't know everybody.''

``What bothers me the most is this team has always been like a family,'' said cornerback Darrell Green. ``You knew everybody's wife and kids. When somebody is released, what hurts the most is that a friendship has been lost.''

JOHNSON TO SIGN. The Redskins came to terms with second-round draft pick Tre Johnson, an offensive lineman, on Thursday. The deal is believed to be a three-year contract averaging $400,000 per year.

Quarterback Heath Shuler, the team's No. 1 pick and the third overall in the NFL remained unsigned.

A LITTLE ANTSY. Rookie Coach Norv Turner admitted that he and his new coaching staff became increasingly nervous in the days leading up to training camp.

``There's been a lot of anxiety,'' he said. ``I don't know of any coach who has slept well the last few nights. We were anxious to get going.''

FIRED UP. Now we know the mild-mannered Turner has a temper and can curse with the best of them.

He began practice Thursday with an unusual, 15-play, live-tackle drill. At one point, he fired a stream of expletives at rookie guard Joe Patton, who missed a block that allowed linebacker Lamont Hollinquest to cream running back Reggie Brooks.

``If a coach can't get as excited as the players, he shouldn't be out there,'' Turner said.

NO INTEREST. Despite being small and inexperienced at the wide receiver position, Turner said he has no interest in 6-1 speedster Willie Gault, who was released recently by the Los Angeles Raiders.